HARRY Arter insists Premier League survival this season would be as "sweet and rewarding" as it was last time round.

Cherries currently sit 10th in a division Arter claims they have "no divine right to be in".

And the 26-year-old is keen to emphasise the scale of the challenge they face merely to keep their heads above water.

Eddie Howe's team face Arsenal and Liverpool in their next two games – with both the Gunners and the Reds doing the double over Cherries in their debut season in the top flight.

Arter told the Daily Echo: “Although we achieved safety last season, I believe repeating that becomes a new challenge for us every year.

“We have no right to expect to be in this division. This club’s been in the lower leagues throughout its whole existence so we have no divine right to be in this league.

“If we were to stay up again – although people may see it as settling for staying up – I believe that would be a big achievement.

"You see a lot of clubs do well in the first year after promotion but then go down the following year.”

Arter admits manager Howe and his players do harbour ambitions beyond staying afloat in the top flight.

But he acknowledges Cherries’ renowned work ethic is born from a fear of the consequences of taking their foot off the pedal.

“We have to make sure we work hard every day,” said Arter. “Not just every game, every single day. We have to make sure we put in the training because if we don’t, we won’t be in this league.

“Staying up this season would be as sweet and as rewarding as last season. If the manager was sitting here, hopefully, he would back me up on that!

“In house, we have different ambitions… but that’s in house.”

Arter has delivered a series of stirring performances this season leading to praise being heaped on the Ireland international's shoulders by a host of respected judges – Jamie Redknapp, Jermaine Jenas and John Hartson among them.

But while he modestly shrugged off the pundits’ tributes – and declared that Howe would quickly bring him back down to earth if the player let his army of admirers go to his head – Arter confessed his relief that his renewed fitness was giving him the platform to show what he can do on the biggest stage.

“I’m probably playing football I’d expect of myself,” said the midfielder, who was restricted by injury to 21 Premier League starts last term.

“I wouldn’t say it’s the best football I’ve ever played, but I am happy I’m consistently playing and consistently fit which, after last season, is a massive positive for me. I was injured a lot then and it was difficult to get a run of games going.

“If I had got that run of games then I would have reached full fitness and that would have enabled me to produce the performances I wanted to.

“I am pleased with how things are going now and I’m happy with my fitness. But I’m excited about the thought of keeping it going and hopefully becoming even better.”